Shower Pics part 1

We had our shower on Saturday. It was a great time and it was great to see so many wonderful friends come to share our joy in Fluff's impending arrival. These are just pictures that I took once we got home. I didn't bring my camera (due to my afore mentioned aversion of photographs), but there were a million cameras around and I"m sure there will be more pictures to come.

Babcia and Grampy ordered us the changing table, it should be in in about week. Babcia also knitted like a crazy woman and made Fluff a couple of very comfy blankets. This yellow one is my favorite, it's nice and warm and huge and toasty. I'm sure it will be Fluff's favorite too.

My in-laws gave us the Crib, mattress, and the Bedding set. I was floored and very excited.

The crib was super easy to set up, Daddy and Uncle Eric did it in about 5 mins.

This is our Pack N' Play. It'll serve as a bassinet when Fluff is little and then it'll be a nap space.

We also got our car seat and stroller. Top Rated Graco Snug Ride car seat in the Granada pattern.

I also got about 2million outfits. There isn't enough space in the Internet to show them all, but here are a few of my favorites:

We got alot of baseball items...and all of them were team neutral, which was something of a surprise. This is one of my favorites. And I just love the baseball hat to pieces. The East Outfit issue was solved very nicely by this cute little outfit. Fluff will be very cute as can be. Auntie Amy and Ruby gave Fluff a very cute swimsuit to wear at her house this summer!! He's gonna be one styling little boy. I'm amazed we were able to find room for all the stuff. It took some doing, but we managed it.
All in all, we had a great day and got some amazing stuff. Now we just need Fluff.

Hospital Info

I had my shower yesterday,(pictures to follow as soon as I get sent some) and I had many people ask where I was going to have the baby. Unless there is some emergency act of god, I will be having Fluff at Elliot Hospital in Manchester NH. It's very easy to get to , just take exit 6 off 93 or click here for directions.

I have a bone to pick

With just about every major department and shoe company in this country. Daddy and I went to WalMart the other day to pick up a few things and they had, shockingly, Easter stuff out (because it's 8 weeks away and you need to decide which kind of Easter egg dye you're going to use NOW). So I wondered over to the clothing display thinking to take a look at what they had for Fluff since he will be here by then and Auntie Megan will be visiting and we have the Greek Easter visit to do also. I kid you not, there were about 20 dresses and maybe 6 boy outfits, however at least 2 of those were disqualified because they fell under the "my son is a pimp/waiter" category. So that leaves me with FOUR choices. Don't get me wrong, dresses are much more fun, but come on people. Are you telling me that you can't come up with ANYTHING cute for a little boy. Now I'm sure I can go to Baby Gap or Baby Eddie Bauer or some other over priced store, but I REFUSE to pay $60 for an outfit that will fit him once and he will pee/puke all over. But even in those stores, next time you're in there, take a look The girl section far out numbers that boy section. And shoes are no better. I went to Payless just to see what they had for Easter/Shaun's wedding. 8 rows of cute little girly shoes/sandals/boots. For boys, work boots, sandals, sneakers. That's it. I think I need to learn how to sew and become the next top designer of cute little boy cloths. Or maybe I"ll just kidnap Kenneth Cole and have a conversation with him!!!

Nursery Pics

We had a very busy weekend. Daddy, Grampy and Uncle Eric put the new floor in the nursery and put up the boarder. All I had to do was make Mac and Cheese for lunch!! It got done pretty quickly and the transformation in the room is incredible. For those of you who never saw the room, originally, it had mint green walls with a green carpet. When we moved in, we slapped white paint over the green until such time as we were going to do something more exciting with it. But the finished product is very impressive....

The newly painted walls and the too cute for words border. It's hard to see the color in this picture, but it's a really soft buttery yellow. It's very mellow and relaxing, but makes the room feel sunny. I LOVE the border,the elephant is my favorite. I'm very glad Daddy forgot to edge the ceiling and I got to have it, I think it makes the room feel much more like a nursery.

The closet is looking good. We need to get a shelf for the middle and maybe some shelves or drawers, and doors, but it really is a nice big space once you clear out all the random shyt that was stored in there. Of course we are still trying to find homes for some of that random shyt, but we're getting there. I was gonna put Fluff's name above the closet, but with the border there now, I don't think I will.

The new floor...so much better than the "AstroTurf green" that used to be in there. This is actually the floor we wanted to put in the rest of the house, but it was out of stock forever. It makes the room look so much bigger and brighter and nicer. This weekend we'll pick up the baseboard molding and finish it off!

It's coming together, slowly but surly. Now we just need some furniture....well and a baby!!!

Thanks again to Grampy and Uncle Eric for their help!

What Have I Done.....

Grampy was visiting yesterday to help us put the floor and border up in the nursery (more on that in a bit). During one of the breaks he casually said "What nickname are you using for the baby". I replied that Daddy will be using Mickey (insert mouse or cheerleader reference now). Grampy got very serious and said, "You do realize that will make him Mickey D". OH LORD!! I never thought of that one. My son is going to be a hamburger reference!!!! Maybe we should rethink his name!!!!

Early Shower Prezzie

Fluff got a package in the mail the other day. Inside was this beautiful bath towel from Auntie Amy. It is warm and toasty with moons and stars and a little hood for his noggin. So a big thank you to Auntie Amy for a wonderful present, I can't wait to use it on with him. :-)

Geography Lesson

Daddy and I went out for dinner on Valentines Day and there was a couple sitting behind us. I normally don't listen to other peoples conversation, but this young lady talked loudly and I couldn't help it. I almost chocked on my corn chowder listening to the following exchange :

Guy : blahblah...Do you want to go to the Caribbean?

Girl : Sure

Guy : You don't sound very excited. We could go somewhere else,

like Mexico instead of the Caribbean.

Girl : You always make plans but nothing comes of it. Besides all

all those places are in Mexico anyways.

Guy : what do you mean??

Girl : You know, Cancun, Jamaica, they're all in Mexico

This is when I started chocking so I don't know what he said. All I know is she must have some OUTSTANDING assets cause apparently, geography isn't one of them!! Because they were sitting behind us and left before we did, I can neither confirm nor deny the young lady was a blonde....but there's a pretty good chance!!!

MY GOD THEY"RE MULTIPLYING....

I'm sure some of you may remember my HORROR at discovering the freakish existence of the Weeblocker. As if that wasn't bad enough, I went to my friend Kristana's shower on Sunday and her sister gave her something that may be even more horrifying. My friends I give you....the Peepee Teepee!! I can not begin to verbalize the wrongness here. The freaking thing comes with firetrucks, or air planes...hell for the holidays you can even get SANTA HAT ONES!! And the kicker, they are machine washable! I can just see myself in the laundry room cursing up a storm because one of my teepeees is missing!! I don't know how people survived a millennium without these things...but I intend to survive my son's upbringing the same way.

All I can say to the inventors is this: Good lord people, exhausted your energies inventing something useful or in finding the cure for some horrible disease. And to the freaks who buy these things...stop worrying about a little sprinkle, it's part of being a parent!!!

Because you all just won't leave me alone....

Those of you who know me, know I HATE having my picture taken. If I could have gone my whole wedding with out having one, I would have. I don't know why this is. It could be from my many dance recitals, trying hard not to fall off the stage as parents snapped proudly. It could be from my years as a tour guide, trying to navigate around a room full of furniture, in full Puritan dress, while tourist documented every dust bunny of their trip. It could just be that I never think I look good in pictures. Who knows, the point is, I hate pictures. Recently, people have been hinting that they would love to see what I look like pregnant. Why? I have no idea. Apparently I'm suppose to want something to remember this time by. I guess the map of the Boston T in stretch marks and small boy child won't be enough! I mean really, if it's that important to ya, you all know where I live!! I do realize, that driving up to the boonies may be a problem for some of you. And since in a moment of weakness, I like Auntie Amy browbeat me into having a picture taken....I give you the only picture you'll ever see....

Circle of Life

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but things have been very hectic around here.

Last week I lost my Nan (scroll down to Blue Nana). She was a wonderful woman who lived 102 years. She touched the lives of everyone she met.

On Thursday Daddy and I started labor classes. That was a little weird. I think we are both sort of freaked out because this is a sign that Fluff's arrival is getting really really close!! This week we get to learn how to breathe....apparently I don't know how, it's a wonder I'm still alive!!

I'll try to get back to posting more frequently!

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting

And that includes my son. I swear the boy is NEVER quiet. And I know that there is just one, but sometimes I feel like I'm having 7 because he moves EVERYWHERE. It's not an occasional flutter, it's an almost constant sense of being kicked, punched, rolled over, pulled, tugged and twisted. He must be doing jumping jacks and hand stands and pull ups, using my ribs for support. One of his favorite things to do, I call the paint can shake. I'm not certain what he is actually doing in there, but my whole belly starts shaking like one of those paint mixing machines. It's a very odd sensation to feel and watch. When he finally decides to "drop", I'm sure I'll have a nervous breakdown because in theory he'll quiet down then and I won't have the constant moving. Although, Auntie Blair said that Sabrina never really calmed down , even after she dropped, so I guess I could have that too look forward too. I'm not quiet at the "done being pregnant" phase , but I certainly am done having my internal organs shaken and stirred.

Please take a moment

To offer a prayer for a speedy recovery to Uncle De. She has been in the hospital since Tuesday after suffering a mild heart attack. The doctors say she'll be fine, and she should be home in time for the big game, in the mean time, our thoughts are with her and her family.

I Can Still....

Shave my legs and clip my toe nails.

You have no idea how excited I am to say that.

Had my Rh negative shot and all the blood work today. That was less than exciting. They said it would only take an hour. They lied. I got there at 8:00am. Between waiting for paper work to show up, drinking sugar drink (which honestly tasted like Orange Fanta and wasn't all that bad) having blood drawn, waiting for them to BE SURE I was Rh negative and then giving me the damn shot, I didn't leave until 11:00am. I was planning on being able to power nap before I had to be in work at 12, not so much. Needless to say I am a bit cranky now. But it's all done now and I don't have to worry about it.

More Thank Yous.....

I received the most amazing gifts this week. Two very sweet woman, who are patrons at the Library where I work, came in to give me gifts for the baby. These are two of my favorite patrons, who I used to help regularly when I worked in Reference, but have not seen so much of since I moved to Children's. Dorothy crocheted me this BEAUTIFUL blanket for Fluff. The picture does not do the color justice, it's amazing.

They also gave me some cute little cotton one piece sleep sets. The one in the middle says "Little Prince" on it, isn't that the truth!

I must admit that I cried when these two wonderful people, who only know me in the context of my job, gave me something so precious for my son.

So a big THANK YOU to Carol and Dorothy for their generous spirit and thoughtful gifts.

Two Months to go

I just looked at the calendar and realized that my due date is exactly TWO MONTHS AWAY!!

That's 60 days!!
That's less than a semester at college!
That's not even a third of the baseball season!

This is sort of freaking me out!!!!

I guess this is when it starts to get really real!

Thank You Lajune, L.

We went visiting Babcia and Grampy this weekend and I got a very wonderful surprise. Lisa, a girl I used to work with a million years ago at SPL, gave me some wonderful baby staples now that her two little ones have out grown them! Front and center is a Boppy, a necessity for any mom. Also included where a blue bear pacifier clip that her son never used, and some neck supports for the car seat. (Daddy calls them "neck bumpers). So Daddy and Fluff and I sent our heart felt thanks to Lisa and her family for their generous gifts, they will be well used and are much appreciated.

The Third Trimester.....

I have hit my third trimester and we are into the home stretch. (hmm.. stretch, I wonder if that's why I suddenly have a map of the Massachusetts highway system in stretch marks on my stomach) I had my dr. appointment yesterday and I have hit the 200lb mark (208 to be official). And I still KNOW it's only a number and it's all baby weight and I don't FEEL like I've gained that much and Daddy, bless his heart, tells me I don't LOOK like I've gained that much, but here I am..a card carrying member of the 200lb club. I'm trying really hard to not get caught up in the number. Although Miss Arlene (a very nice woman I work with) told me this morning that I look very well and don't have "pregnant ears or hands" so that is something I guess!! So I am embracing my new number and am just going with it...anyone want to go out for an ice cream??

I have also developed, of late, a very painful case of sciatica. This is not strictly a benefit of pregnancy, but because the sciatic nerve travels under the uterus to the back and down the legs, the additional weight of the baby on the nerve often leads to this condition. For those of you who have never had it..be thankful. The best way I can explain it is that there is a knot on the lower right side of my back, almost in my butt cheek. Every now and again, someone tightens this knot and sends shooting pain down my right leg. On occasion, if I sit too long or the wrong way, I loose all feeling in my right leg. You want to see something fun, watch a 7month pregnant, uncoordinated woman try to stand up only to realize she can't support any weight on her right side. I look like a new born horse stumbling around trying not to fall on my face!! The only remedies...hot showers and Tylenol unless I want to go to PT or a Chiropractor, which I don't!

One really cool thing happened yesterday, while my dr. was chasing Fluff around trying to get a heart beat reading, my son burped...twice. It was the strangest thing, the dr. was listening to the heart beat and then there was this "gurgle" sound. She looked at me and said "I guess he liked his lunch, that was a burp"..and the little bugger did it again. That's my boy!!!

I'm now going to my dr. every two weeks and will keep that up until the beginning of March when I start going every week. My next visit I get to have the RH shot, a glucose test and an anemia test. All of which involve needles and having blood drawn, what a joyful day THAT will be!!!

Our birthing classes start in two weeks and it seems like things are really gearing up for the race to the finish.

Puppy Love?!?!?!

I must confess that I have been a bit nervous about how Ellie will react once Fluff arrives. We have tried to be good about carrying around a baby to get her used to it, but she is still far to spoiled for her own good.

We have been without power for the last couple of days thanks to this wonderful ice storm, so Ellie has been providing some extra heat to Mommy at night. Last night, we were all snuggled in bed and Ellie had her head sort of tucked under my belly. She likes to sleep with her head on my belly and I often wonder if she can hear Fluff's heartbeat. Well, last night she was all cuddled with me and the baby kicked, and Ellie's tail started wagging. Then she made a little "woofing" sound and nuzzled my belly...the baby kicked again!! This went on, back and forth for a few minuets. Finally, I picked up the covers and looked at Ellie and said "Are you talking to the baby??" and her tail set to wagging up a storm and she leaned up and gave me kisses!!

I guess it's safe to say that right now.....she loves her baby!! We'll see how she feels in 2 yrs when Fluff is chasing her around the house and pulling her tail!!

The Return of Sleeping Beauty

They say that during the second trimester, most women get this unbelievable surge of energy and are the perkiest they have ever been. While I must confess I have not ever been, nor will I ever be, perky, I did have more energy the last three months or so. That my friends has changed! Last week I couldn't sleep...I mean I had sleeping pills and everything and I could not get myself to stay asleep to save my soul. This week...I have no eyebrows left from where I've had to tape my eyelids open just to stay awake. So if you ever go looking for me...try my bed.

Thank You Pfizer

Life has been pretty tough this past week. Sleep has not been something easy coming for me. If I try to sleep on my side, Fluff objects by spending hours kicking my sides, paying special attention to hitting any major organs that are in his ever expanding range of motion. If I try to sleep on my back, I wake up most mornings barley able to walk due to the extra weight on my spine, that is if Fluff even lets me sleep because he seems content to "swim" back and forth all night long. I have tried every old wives tales listed to try to sleep. I've had mint tea, ginger tea, warm milk, hot showers and meditated. I've used more pillows, fewer pillows, body pillows....you name it I've done it. NOTHING works.
Last night, I was the lucky recipient of 4 total hours of sleep, with no block lasting more than 1 1/2. Now, admittedly, part of the problem was Ellie dog's need to be taken out every 3hrs due to a case of rabid diarrhea. So today, having taped my eye lids open to make it through the work day, I called my doctor to see what could be done to help me sleep, because I was starting to hate my son. Luckily, it is perfectly safe for pregnant women to take Unisom as needed for occasional help sleeping. I would like to offer the Pfizer Corporation my sincere thanks for creating a product that may just allow me 8 blessed hours of sleep.

The good news in all this, once Fluff is here and I'm up with feedings and all that fun stuff, I am able to function pretty well on 4hrs of very interrupted sleep!!!

Wish me sweet dreams!!!!!